Mobilize is a place where we recap the big idea of the sermon and give some next steps, as you grow in letting God’s word transform your life.
We ended our time in Esther this week with a look at how God FLIPPED THE SCRIPT in the life of Esther and Mordecai and in the fortunes of his people. Marshall started the sermon with the statement, “Nothing flips the script like hope.”
Here are some highlights from the sermon:
- Chapter 8 shows us how God flipped the script for Esther and Mordechai. They receive Haman’s wealth, Mordecai is invited into the king’s presence and is given the king’s ring. The chapter ends with the people celebrating and finding favor with other people groups in Persia. Chapter 9 tells us about that faithful day where because of Queen Esther’s place of power the Jewish people, being able to defend themselves, were victorious.
- The author repeats the detail that no Jewish person took plunder even though the law gave them permission to. These things all point to the fact that the people fulfilled under Queen Esther what God asked King Saul to do in 1 Samuel 15.
- Also in chapter 9 we hit a few verses that are hard to understand. Queen Esther asks the King to give them one more day to enact the law, which leads to 300 more men losing their lives. She also asks for Haman’s sons to be put up on poles above the city. The text doesn’t tell us if Esther was operating in wisdom or brokenness with this request, but Marshall made a great point that “God draws straight lines with crooked sticks.” God’s plans will not be thwarted by limited and sinful people.
- Chapter 10 gives us a good look at how the world uses power verses God’s people. We find the King using his power to amass more power and wealth, but Mordecai uses his power to bless God’s people in Persia.
- I loved the conclusion of the sermon when Marshall talked about the GREATEST SCRIPT FLIP of all- the Gospel. In the Garden, we were given an edict of death and just like in Esther, God could not simply erase it. But he could offer an edict of Life, that if we will accept it, will allow us to avoid death and find great favor in God’s family!
Action steps for our week together:
- We are called to be discipled by the Spirit and Word. Spend time in our passage this week-Esther 8-10. What is the Spirit saying to you through the text?
- Consider these things with your community this week.
- Where do you need God to flip a script in your life? Do you struggle to believe he can flip the script?
Where has God put you in a place of power? Where can you leverage that power for others?